Quote:
Originally Posted by Marko141
So I have noticed I have a serious amount of play in my steering wheel, I can turn it half way before it catches, where should I start?
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Three things most common that cause play in the steering.
1. The gear box should be adjusted to remove slack by tightening the lever bolt that runs through it, then tighten the jam nut to hold the lever plate snug against the box. (large nut on the right side of the gear box while sitting in the driver's seat).
On the lever plate (left side, where the steering link attaches) loosen the jam nut and turn the center stud in to snug it against the spiral cam inside. This is the follower stud and rides back and forth in a worm gear inside. Then tighten the follower stud jam nut. Be sure you don't bind up the steering wheel, so test that as you adjust the stud in.
2. Second place is the axle channel. The axle is often loose in the channel, either due to play/wear in the central pivot pin, which can be driven out and replaced, or by expansion of the channel itself that allows the axle to move too much in the channel. Remove the axle and squeeze the channel closed with a 4 inch by 3/4 inch bolt, washers and a nut. Or, put some shims between the axle pivot point and the channel sides.
3, Finally, the tie rod ends, and the axle pivot points (pitman arm?) at the left front wheel get loose and need to be tightened up. A little more complicated but you can drill out the loose pin hole and replace with either a larger pin or ream it for a tapered pin.
Just look around at what is moving when you turn the steering wheel and you'll see where you need to fix it.